TWO self-ignited automobile accidents caused by high temperatures occurred in the city recently, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

At about 9 a.m. Saturday, the front of a shared car caught fire and was emitting thick smoke as the vehicle was heading for Gongming on Songfu Boulevard in Bao’an District. The fire was put out in five minutes after firefighters arrived. No casualties were reported in the accident.

Another vehicle self-ignited at a housing estate in Futian District. The fire broke out at around 2 p.m. Friday, and a preliminary investigation showed that the cause of the fire was the sudden spontaneous combustion of a van parked nearby.

The flame ignited a more than 10-meter-long billboard that was on the facade of the podium of a building and instantly spread across the entire wall.

According to the municipal fire brigade, the frequency of self-igniting vehicle cases in the summer is mostly related to short circuits, which are likely to occur if the wiring in a car becomes outdated or there are too many electronic add-ons, such as anti-theft devices and stereo systems.

The fire brigade also pointed out that because perfume is mostly alcohol, which is an inflammable and even explosive product, it is liable to cause combustion if left in a closed vehicle.

However, as most self-igniting vehicle cases have warning signs, drivers are advised to learn what to look for and deal with any issues as soon as possible. When a vehicle emits a bad smell or noise, the driver should immediately pull over to check the condition of the vehicle.

Besides vehicle fires, an apartment at a housing estate in Futian District caught fire Friday afternoon. According to the Daily, the fire was caused by the battery of an electric motorcycle as it was charging.

No one was at home when the fire broke out, and there were no casualties.

According to statistics, 80 percent of fires caused by electric motorcycles happen while the motorcycles are being charged. Ninety percent of such fires cause casualties when the motorcycles are placed in halls, corridors or staircases because people inhale a lot of toxic smoke as they escape.

When residents encounter a burning electric motorcycle and are trapped in a room it is suggested they don’t try to escape, but instead close the door, block the cracks around the door with a wet towel if there is smoke coming in, open a window and call the police for rescue.

(Zhang Yu)